Friday, Aug 08, 2008

TWG - August 8, 2008

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TWG - August 8, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Leviticus 19; Psalm 72; Acts 23:12-35

Today is August 8, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. TWG is a complete turn of events; it is a 180 degree turn around. God is changing us and turning us around as a community. This is not business as usual, this is transforming, this is spiritual, this is essential.

Just an average day in the life of Pastor Dennis. I did the bulletin, watered the amphitheater and spent quite a bit of time working on Vacation Bible School I created and printed out some notebooks for “secret seats.” And I spent some time talking to Marcia about last minute details including the need to make “wooden nickels.” We only need about 1000 of them! And I spent a little time with Evie talking about here copper making shop in VBS. She couldn’t find the other roll of copper, after some investigation and a few phone calls, Carl found it in the back of Vicki’s car. After work I ran to Stewart Park where I attempted to make contacts and share my faith. I met three different families and had some good discussions. I was able to share most of the Gospel with the third family! Didn’t quite get to close it out for lack of time. You can check out all three conversations and pic at http://honest-answers.myblogspot.com - I put a picture of Tony on the Blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out. He, Patricia Caleb and Ethan came to visit us recently!

This week’s theme verse is Luke 6:27-31 27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. "To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

I don’t like to be mistreated, do you? I don’t like confrontation and I don’t like conflict. It really gets my dander up. I feel a tense just talking about it! If someone is going to get in my face, I’m likely to go head to head with them. The thought of it reminds me of a “pro” baseball player arguing with the ump, face to face! You can’t get much more dramatic than lip to lip. They are both shouting so loud that there’s no way they can hear each other and neither one of them is backing down. “yer out!” These verses mention several types of mistreatment: verbal, physical and material. Verbal abuse is the most common. You are going to have people gossip about you and even cuss you out. There will be misunderstandings and misgivings. It’s going to happen to you! Physical violence: In your lifetime someone may pull a knife on you, point a gun at you or manhandle you to the wall. You may get slapped around or challenged to a fight. It is happening more and more. But the chances of a material or property crime are much higher. The National Institute of Justice estimates that the average American has an 80 percent chance of being the victim of a serious crime in his lifetime. Someone is going to take your stuff! It has happened to me, it can happen to you. I can tell you from first hand experience that some of the emotions I felt at the time were shock, anger, disbelief, vulnerability, more anger, bitterness, hostility, revenge and tears. So are you ready for it? None of us are really ready for the shock, but we can prepare ourselves. You can choose your response in advance. You can condition yourself to behave like a victim who has been raped, plundered and is crying out for justice, or you can choose to respond supernaturally! You can choose to bless when cursed, peaceful and gentle when struck, and generous when looted. There is no human precedence for these responses; they are “God-Like.” They are so stunning and so out of the ordinary that they often bring a shock to the system of the attacker. When an attacker expects hatred, anger and a fight and gets love, kindness, generosity, a teary smile or even a little blessed humor… he has absolutely no defense! You have disarmed his heart. He suddenly has to deal with feelings and emotions he has never encountered in his entire life! Unexpectedly you are no longer the victim, you are the victor. You have defeated evil with good.

Dear Father. I do not wish to be on the receiving end of hatred, theft or violence, but I know that sooner or later it will happen to me. My human instincts tell me to fight back, but you tell me to win them over with blessings and kindness. I choose the way of Jesus, which is the way of the cross. I am willing to give up my rights to see your kingdom come!

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:14 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

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